Life expectancy for youth with HIV is now ‘near normal’

Young people who take the latest HIV drugs can have a near-normal life expectancy, as per a study.

Twenty-somethings who began antiretroviral therapy in 2010 are now expected to live 10 years longer than those using it in 1996 according to a study by The Lancet.

The study looked at 88,500 people with HIV from Europe and North America, and based on the follow-up after the drugs treatment started, their life-expectancy was predicted. The researchers found out that fewer people died amongst those who started the treatment between 2008 and 2010 when compared to the people who were treated between 1996 and 2007.

Some of the main reasons for the success of the newer drugs are fewer side effects and better prevention from the virus replicating in the body.

Speaking to BBC, Jimmy Isaacs said, “My health is absolutely fine. I’m eating healthily and drinking healthily.” Jimmy Isaacs contracted HIV three years ago and has been on a drug treatment ever since. “It doesn’t impact on my job and hasn’t impacted on my social life either.”